Richter, Christian Frederic, was born at Sorau,
in Silesia, October 5, 1676; was graduated
from the University of Halle, and became
identified with the celebrated orphanage
there. He was a student of medicine,
as well as of theology. A Christian physician
and scientist, he took his religion into
everything that he did. "He made many
chemical experiments, for which he prepared
himself by special prayer, and invented
many compounds which came into extensive
use under the name of the 'Halle
medicines.'" Among the holy men and gifted
writers of hymns and other forms of devotional
literature who made famous the
earlier school of German Pietists at Halle
Richter was one of the most noted. Many
of the thirty-three hymns that he wrote
are not only deeply spiritual, but are possessed
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of genuine poetic merit. Richter died October 5, 1711.